Motorcycle Safety

HOG LAW believes in accountability and responsibility, both of motorcyclists and other motorists. Below, please find samples of public and private resources aimed at education, training, and motorcycle safety campaigns, promoting rider safety and public awareness, all to prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities. Such resources bring you closer to “RIDE SAFE” and to WATCH OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES!!! ®

Please take a moment to review the information below to decrease your chances of being involved in a crash. With this intent, HOG LAW offers the following:

Florida law states:

"Every first-time application for licensure to operate a motorcycle must provide proof of completion of a motorcycle safety course … before the applicant may be licensed to operate a motorcycle."
Section 322.12 (5)(a).

Check out the links below to find locate a state approved motorcycle safety course in your area. The first banners are those of course located near the Tampa Bay Area and in Lakeland:

Locate other motorcycle safety courses

Visit the state's website below, then click on the "Course Sponsors" page, then use the drop down menu to enter your county and hit the search button. The site provides a listing of approved safety courses for you to choose from. Start by clicking the link below:

Florida's website highlighting Florida Rider Training Program Courses.
The Safety Programs page centers on the Florida Riders Training Program Course, the course required of all motorcyclists who wish to obtain their motorcycle endorsement or license. This page also helps visitors locate a motorcycle safety course provider in your area, providing a list of course sponsors in your county. Other pages on the site provide safety tips and a direct link to the Motorcycle Handbook.

http://www.motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/proud_loud.cfm
The State of Florida, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles published a motorcycle safety campaign titled: Ride Proud, Dress Loud", a statewide Motorcycle Conspicuity Campaign, to promoting motorcycle visibility and safety, to reduce fatalities on the roadways.

The State of Florida, Department of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles (Florida Highway Patrol's website), by recent safety campaigns, has promoted motorcycle safety by the following:

"Stop Street Racing … Speed Kills!" (View brochure)

"Enjoy The Ride = Safe And Sober!" (View video)(Windows media)

Your Complete Guide To Motorcycle Safety / Share The Road, Save A Life

Be visible:

Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.

Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night.

Use reflective strips or decals on your helmet and on your motorcycle.

Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have and don't ride in them.

Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.

Wear bright color and reflective clothing.

Use lane positioning to be seen; ride in the part of the lane where you are most visible.

Use Personal Protective Gear:

Wear a DOT approved helmet and eye protection.

Wear abrasion resistant, protective clothing.

Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and full-fingered gloves.

Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.

Apply Effective Mental Strategies:

Consistently search the road for changing conditions.

Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorist's actions.

Give other motorists time and space to respond to you.

Watch for turning vehicles.

Signal your next move in advance.

Avoid weaving between lanes.

Don't ride when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Know and follow the rules of the road. Do not exceed the speed limit.

Know Your Bike And How To Use It:

Get formal training and take refresher courses.

Practice. Develop your riding techniques before going into heaving traffic. Know how to handle your bike in conditions such as wet or sandy roads, high winds, and in work zones and in other uneven surfaces.

"LOOK TWICE. SAVE A LIFE."

The State of Florida, Department of Transportation, through this safety campaign, produced a brochure with the above title, advising the public to "Share the Road with Motorcycles", with the following messages:

Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road and some drivers don't notice motorcycles at all.

When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or near a driveway, assume a motorcycle is closer than it appears.

Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is.

Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you are changing lanes or turning at intersections.

It is difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car.

Allow more following distance, say three or four seconds, to give you extra time to respond.

Motorcycles are able to use their engines and gearing to slow down without using brakes. Therefore, don't depend upon a brake light to alert you to a slowing motorcycle.

Motorcycle turn signals usually are not self-canceling,

so some riders, (especially beginners) may forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.

Understand that motorcyclists may adjust lane position for their own safety, not to be reckless or show off.

Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily or to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, or other conditions.

Don't expect a motorcyclist to always get out of your way.

Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions. But they cant always react the way a passenger car can.

Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars,

but slipper pavement makes stopping quickly both dangerous and difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it cant always stop "on a dime".

Checkout ABATE of Florida, Inc.'s Safety Video below.
After entering the site, see the left side menu bar and click on "Motorcycle Safety" on the link below:

ABATE of Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization of motorcyclists of all walks of life, promoting motorcycle safety awareness, continuing rider education and political awareness. The website has a section dedicated to "Cycle Safety", providing a Safety Video and other safety information to both riders and the public. The "Motorcycle Safety" page highlights a public service announcement video asking drivers: How Close Does A Motorcycle Have To Be Before You See It? The video follows a motorist reaching a stop sign, looking to this left and then his right, and pulling out in front of a motorcycle. The video is hard to watch and reminds drivers to: THINK, LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLISTS!!! Also under "Cycle Safety", the site has a page illustrating Safety Hand Signals, courtesy of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Florida’s website through the Florida Department of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles – Emergency Contact Information.
If you have a Florida driver’s license or identification card, you can go online and enter your emergency contact information. Only law enforcement personnel have access to your emergency contact information. The information is stored in the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D.) system, a secure database used by most law enforcement agencies in the state of Florida. The information is only used by law enforcement officers to notify designated contacts if a motorist is seriously injured or killed in a traffic crash. To enter your information, simply online and enter your information or do the same in person at any driver license office.

Brad Souders along with the entire team at Hog Law did an amazing job with my claim. From beginning to end Brad was very professional, informative and always just an email or phone call away. read more

"Watch Out For Motorcycles"®

Legal Disclaimer

The information on this site is not, nor is it intended to be legal advice. Bradley D. Souders, P.A. prepared this information for general information purposes only. If you were involved in an accident, you should consult with an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements alone. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about their qualifications and experience.